Author: Xxpresso

Title: The Spook Family

Rating: Uh…PG-13?

Disclaimer: All mine. Ask permission before borrowing characters. Kidding=) Not mind.

Spoilers: Up to Destiny, I guess. Liz never walked away from Max in Destiny. Kyle and Liz never did the sleeping-together trick, so Max and Kyle is good.

Summary: The gang takes on a Haunted House challenge.

Author's note: This is my first fanfic, and bah…try to turn a blind eye towards any of illogical storylines or grammar mistakes. I dug it out from my computer, decided to share

Feedback: Scold me, yell at me, kick me, punch me…I'm waiting for you!

.Father Spook.

   "A spicy pepper jack burger without cheese and a large galaxy burger," repeated Liz to a customer. She turned and traveled down the diner to the spinning wheel, tearing off the order as she did so.

     Maria was already there, telling Michael something that was making him scowl. She clipped the order on the wheel and gave it a spin.

     "I tell you, it's either none or all," said Maria.

     Michael grabbed the order like it was his lifeline and leaned towards Maria. "Then I choose none."

     Maria scowled. "You are twisted."

     "You are twisted," replied Michael.

     Liz noticed a leaflet wedged beneath a dirty plate and eased it out. "A week at the Haunted House?" she asked.

     "See?" Michael said pointedly. "Her tone suggests that this challenge is crap."

     "It isn't, when she reads on," said Maria. "Especially about that part when it mentions five thousand bucks given after we survive the week there."

     "We don't need money, Maria," said Michael flipping a burger viciously.

     "We do," said Maria.

     "For…" prompted Michael.

     "For…" Maria paused.

     Michael smirked.

     "For our future!" Maria said.

     Michael nearly dropped the bread he was holding.

     Liz sputtered.

     "What?" Maria said indignantly.

     "Future, what it means?" asked Liz weakly.

     "College?" Maria waved her hand and the expression on her face suggested that she was talking to complete idiots.

     "Oh," said Michael.

     "That," said Liz regaining her composure.

     "What else?" asked Maria. "What did you think I was saying?"

     Michael slammed the plate on the counter. "Eloping."

     Maria squealed. "You are so so over!"

     "There's no such thing as ghosts," said Liz matter-of-factly.

     "You go, girl," agreed Michael waving his spatula.

     Maria smirked. "Since there are no such things as ghosts, why not spend a week in an unhaunted house and earn 5 thousand bucks?"

     A long pause.

     "It's not that easy," Michael offered.

     "What is?" Maria asked.

     Michael turned to Liz.

     "I don't know about this…" said Liz.

     "I'm sure Mr. Parker wouldn't want his daughter to stay in a haunted house to get money to go to college," Michael shifted to the involving-parents tactic.

     "What's that?" asked Mr. Parker coming out from the employees lounge.

     Before anybody could react, Maria jumped to Mr. Parker and shoved the leaflet into his face. "A haunted house challenge," she said excitedly.

     Mr. Parker skimmed the paper. "So?"

     He glanced at Maria. "Oh, Maria…"

     "Why?" Maria pleaded. "There is no harm going there as Liz said there are no such things as ghosts."

     "Look here," Michael began.

     Maria threw him a don't-say-a-word-or-you-are-gonna-regret-it look.

     Mr. Parker shrugged. "If your mother agrees, what's the harm? It's not like the sponsors would really let anyone die in there."

     "I can't believe it," said Liz. "Dad!"

     Jeff Parker handed back the paper to Maria who took it gleefully. "It's the holidays. Have some fun."

     "With ghosts," groaned Liz.

     "Special effects," corrected Maria.

     "Oh great, now we have special ghost effects to entertain our holidays," said Michael.

     "It's better than watching a movie. It's actually happening to you," said Mr. Parker. "Maybe they'll have projected planes crashing everywhere. Spooky and bloody, with bodies everywhere!"

     "Dad, it's a haunted house challenge. Not a week at Pearl Harbor," grumbled Liz.

     "What's that?" Alex leaned against the wall next to the trio.

     He plucked the leaflet from Maria's hand and began to read.

     "We are going next week," Maria announced.

     "Good. Have some fun," said Mr. Parker.

     "As if we hadn't enough supernatural stuff going on," mumbled Michael.

     "There is?" Mr. Parker raised his eyebrows.

     Maria jabbed at Michael. "Uh, too much Angel and Buffy show-watching."

     Jeff Parker grabbed a bottle of ketchup and the newly cooked burger. "Tell me when you are going. Take a few more people with you." He left.

     "Done," agreed Maria.

     The bell jingled as Kyle, Tess, Max and Isabel entered the diner.

     "What's up?" asked Max as he looked from Maria's happy face to Michael's scowling one and finally the torn-between-reality-and-fantasy look on Liz's beautiful, gorgeous, perfect…

     "Earth to Max!!" Isabel hollered in his ear.

     "What?" snapped Max.

     "This is totally crap," announced Michael. "Who are the sponsors anyway?"

     "Cool! I could use some spooks. They hardly scare me, though," grinned Alex. "The big strong man I am."

     "What?" repeated Max.

     Isabel sighed. "Haunted house challenge for a week."

     The now greasy and crumpled leaflet was passed to Max who read it reluctantly.

     "We are all going next week," Maria announced again. "Pack your bag, folks. Five thousand bucks is heading our way…." She sang.

     "Let's have a poll," said Michael loudly. "Who refuses, hands down."

     Isabel put her hand up.

     "There. Isabel, and… that's all?" he said unbelievingly.

     "What's wrong?" asked Kyle.

     "Is there entertainment like TV or cosmetics or handsome guys? No," said Isabel.

     "There is a 45' inch TV set, take as much of your own cosmetics that you want…" Maria paused. "The guy matter…"
     "Don't worry," Alex grinned pulling Michael by the neck our of window, and in the process producing choking sounds from Michael, and with the other hand Kyle who pulled Max. "We will fill your needs."

     Isabel rolled her eyes.

     "Michael, you're outvoted. Seven to one," said Maria.

    "What? Two to six," said Liz hurriedly. "I thought hands up meant agreeing."

     "Why?" whined Maria. "Please go. For me?"

     Liz hesitated. "What about Michael?"

     "Oh," Maria dismissed it with a wave of her hand. "He'll go."

     "Come on, Liz," said Kyle. "At least if we are scared to death over there, you can explain the logic of why it-isn't-happening-it's-just-the-effects lecture."

     "It'll be fun," urged Tess. "Think of it as a get together."

     "A spooky get together," said Michael.

     Liz gave a lightning fast glance to Max. "Okay. I'll go."